House Highlights Authorities Handle Foreign Nationals Affected by Anak Krakatau

RRI.CO.ID, Tangerang – Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) has highlighted immigration authorities' readiness to provide certainty over the immigration status of foreign nationals affected by force majeure situations, particularly flight disruptions caused by natural disasters. A special policy is considered important to ensure that foreigners unable to leave Indonesia due to circumstances beyond their control do not face immigration problems.

DPR member Yan Permenas, said the government needs to ensure flexibility for foreign nationals whose stay permits expire when their flights are delayed due to disasters. He made the statement shortly after the House's visit to the Soekarno-Hatta Class I Special Immigration Office, near Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

"They have to remain here while waiting to return home, including coordinating with the airline or flight operator," Yan said, as quoted by dpr.go.id.

Head of the Soekarno-Hatta Class I Special Immigration Office Galih P. Kartika Perdhana, explained that procedures for handling force majeure situations had been prepared. The mechanism, based on two circular letters issued by the Directorate General of Immigration under Indonesia’s Ministry of Immigration and Corrections, was implemented after the eruption of Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait on September 5–7, 2026 suspend flight operations, affected 520 flights and 86,760 passengers.

Galih said that for foreign nationals who had already undergone departure clearance but were required to re-enter Indonesian territory because their flights were canceled or diverted, Indonesian immigration authorities canceled their departure manually or through the immigration system. Meanwhile, foreign nationals affected by the disruption who overstayed were subject to a zero-rupiah overstay fee.

For foreign nationals requiring certainty regarding their immigration status during the emergency period, authorities issue a Forced Stay Permit (Izin Tinggal Keadaan Terpaksa/ITKT). The permit is valid for up to 30 days and may be extended in accordance with applicable regulations.

In its implementation, the Soekarno-Hatta Immigration Office said it has processed 11 permit applications. Applicants were required to submit a national passport, their most recent stay permit, a flight ticket, proof of flight cancellation, and an AirNav Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on the airspace closure. To anticipate a buildup of applicants, the stay-permit service counters' capacity was also increased from one to two counters specifically for foreign applicants.

DPR member Dewi Asmara, of the Golkar Party, also praised the Immigration authorities’ response to the force majeure situation, saying foreign nationals who lose their scheduled flights need adaptive immigration services suited to emergency conditions. "Immigration authorities have also been actively involved in addressing issues related to the movement of foreign nationals who have lost their allotted time and missed their flights," Dewi said.

However, Yan said policies for handling emergencies need to be strengthened into a regulatory framework that can be implemented consistently across regions, particularly areas that are major destinations for tourism and international visitors. "It should not merely be a policy. Regulations must also provide protection and a legal framework for all the processes we carry out, particularly for immigration staff and personnel throughout Indonesia in providing these services," Yan said.

The DPR hopes that the experience of handling the Mount Anak Krakatau eruption can serve as an evaluation for strengthening Indonesia’s immigration contingency plans. This includes coordination with airlines, airport authorities, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that emergencies do not undermine legal certainty or the quality of services provided to foreign nationals.